Heartless Bastards tried something new for their latest album. 'We've never done sort of a destination recording,' says frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom, explaining how the band decamped to Tornillo, Texas, to record 'Restless Ones' at Sonic Ranch, set in the middle of world's largest pecan farm. Listen to Heartless Bastards' stripped-down set and their chat with Mark Wheat.

Madison Square Garden agreed to go entirely vegetarian for Morrissey‘s Saturday night show, and most of the historic arena’s vendors did in fact go meatless—but due to what the venue calls “an oversight,” there was quite a lot of meat served in the venue’s corporate suites. Gothamist has photos of brisket sandwiches, meatballs, chicken fingers, and sushi available…

After Garrison Keillor revealed plans for easing into retirement by having mandolin player Chris Thile guest-host 'A Prairie Home Companion', we're asking: What songs do you want to hear that feature mandolin? Send us your requests.

My Morning Jacket gave an ethereal performance Friday night at Northrop. Jim James and the rest of the band seemed to have been graced by the rock gods. The band’s two-hour set seemed infinite—full of stellar guitar solos, bashing drums, and powerful lyrics. The openers, hometown heroes Hippo Campus (who have been touring all summer), gave an equally…

The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their final show together; Elton John crashed a concert in Oakland, Calif.; George Martin was knighted; and Bruce Springsteen kicked off a 15-month tour (and filmed a music video) in St. Paul, Minn.

Twice each year, The Current hosts a professional development event for college-student music journalists that write for the Local Current blog, also known as the college contributors. Last fall’s College Contributors Day served as a chance for the writers to meet each other and local music journalists (both at the Current and other various publications), as well as…

The second full-length album from Iceland's Of Monsters and Men projects the experience of a band who have matured together, and it also benefits from the band's decision to return to their unique culture to create an album that is truly from their hearts.

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver has shared a personal “field guide” to the Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, which he co-curated with Aaron Dessner of the National. The guide features a poetic capsule summary of each performer, along with custom circular band logos designed by Vernon. Meanwhile, Vernon was called “one of the baddest white boys on the planet”…

For the Love, a celebration of the St. Paul community and the Twin Cities hip-hop scene, will return to Lowertown on July 11 for its second year. Offering 12 hours of free performances and demonstrations, the event will also host the Twin Cities’ own Kanser, who, in celebration of their 20th anniversary, will perform for the first…

Jim James of My Morning Jacket stopped by The Current's studio to chat with host Mark Wheat before two performances at Northrop June 26 and 27 with opening local acts Hippo Campus and Lizzo.